Mike Le Pavoux and Glynis Johns, two of Town’s longest-serving retail staff, are having to quit the business where they have worked for a total of more than 60 years. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0895537)

The Pioneer has been established for more than 60 years and owners Jan and Martyn Rushton said the closure was down to a combination of family commitments, health reasons and poor sales.

‘A downturn in tourism over the past few years has brought our decision forward,’ said Mrs Rushton.

Two long-standing members of staff, Mike Le Pavoux and Glynis Johns, have to leave at the end of this year.

Between them, they have worked for the family business for more than 60 years.

Mr Le Pavoux started working for Mrs Rushton’s father, Ernest Backlund, as a Saturday boy in 1979 when he was a 15-year-old.

He recalls Mr Backlund telling him he would one day be manager of the shop.

‘I’ve grown up with the family,’ he said yesterday. ‘I was going to go and work for a carpenter’s firm but Mr B offered me the manager’s job and I have never left.’

Mr Backlund started trading in Mansell Street before buying stores in Church Square, now rented to Healthspan, and the High Street almost 65 years ago, naming the former after his wife, Evelyn.